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Edgar Allan PoeA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Content Warning: The source material features depictions of racism and alcohol misuse. Terms reflecting racist language are included only in quoted material.
A few months after returning from his adventures at sea, Arthur Gordon Pym addresses the conditions under which his narrative is being published. He had been hesitant to share his story for two primary reasons. First, not having kept a journal during his travels, he is concerned about being able to provide enough detail to maintain “the appearance of truth” (1). Second, he is afraid that the “positively marvelous” nature of his experiences will prevent readers from believing they actually happened. He adds that he does not trust his own abilities as a writer. However, an editor at the Southern Literary Messenger named Mr. Poe agreed to publish Pym’s narrative in the Messenger under the condition that it be presented as fiction. To his surprise, many readers refuse to believe the story is fiction, and they write letters to Poe arguing in favor of its veracity.
Pym introduces himself and shares his family background. He also introduces his friend Augustus Barnard, whose father, John, is a sea captain. After years of hearing stories from Augustus about his father’s adventures, Pym begins feeling “the greatest desire to go to sea” (3).
By Edgar Allan Poe
A Dream Within a Dream
A Dream Within a Dream
Edgar Allan Poe
Annabel Lee
Annabel Lee
Edgar Allan Poe
Berenice
Berenice
Edgar Allan Poe
Hop-Frog
Hop-Frog
Edgar Allan Poe
Ligeia
Ligeia
Edgar Allan Poe
Tamerlane
Tamerlane
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The Black Cat
The Black Cat
Edgar Allan Poe
The Cask of Amontillado
The Cask of Amontillado
Edgar Allan Poe
The Conqueror Worm
The Conqueror Worm
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The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar
The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar
Edgar Allan Poe
The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher
Edgar Allan Poe
The Gold Bug
The Gold Bug
Edgar Allan Poe
The Haunted Palace
The Haunted Palace
Edgar Allan Poe
The Imp of the Perverse
The Imp of the Perverse
Edgar Allan Poe
The Lake
The Lake
Edgar Allan Poe
The Man of the Crowd
The Man of the Crowd
Edgar Allan Poe
The Masque of the Red Death
The Masque of the Red Death
Edgar Allan Poe
The Murders in the Rue Morgue
The Murders in the Rue Morgue
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The Oval Portrait
The Oval Portrait
Edgar Allan Poe
The Philosophy of Composition
The Philosophy of Composition
Edgar Allan Poe